SPAWAR selects the Aegis SafetyNet radio bridge and mobile command post for demonstration

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Feb 9, 2004

Aegis Assessments, Inc. (OTCBB:AGSI) announced recently that it has been selected to demonstrate its wireless communication products to United States government representatives at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in San Diego, California (SPAWAR) as part of its continuing initiative to meet the demand for interoperable communications systems being overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "We believe our SafetyNet products will be a big part of the solution to the communication problems faced by public safety agencies and first responders," said Aegis' COO, Richard Reincke.

In November 2003 the company responded to a request for information by the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) for a communications and control system capable of "handling anti-terrorism activities that are conducted jointly by local and state law enforcement agencies and first responders." The ODP is the program office within the DHS responsible for implementing a national program to enhance the capacity of state and local jurisdictions to respond to, and mitigate the consequences of, incidents of domestic terrorism. SPAWAR provides technical support and product acquisition planning for ODP in that mission.

In a November 6, 2003 hearing before the House subcommittee on Technology Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census, lawmakers expressed impatience with government efforts to make first responders' radios interoperable. The country's 44,000 federal, state and local rescue agencies currently use scores of different radio systems on 10 different frequencies. David Boyd, director of the Wireless Public Safety Interoperable Communications Program (SAFECOM) at the DHS, has acknowledged that "we need solutions quickly."

According to Aegis COO Reincke, the SafetyNet Radio Bridge, which interconnects incompatible radios and bridges them beyond their normal capabilities, and the SafetyNet Mobile Command Post, which provides broadband video, audio and other data, are now ready for delivery to public safety agencies. The company is currently completing initial quality control testing of the SafetyNet Radio Bridge using radios supplied by major public safety agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, and Anaheim Fire Department as it prepares to roll-out the SafetyNet Radio Bridge nationally.

"We want state and local officials to work with us. They own 95% of the infrastructure and they're the key to solving this," Boyd said.